Panchkula backtracks on midnight closure for bars

District magistrate Mahavir Kaushik on Wednesday said bars in Panchkula can operate as per the time granted in their licence.

In a huge respite to bars operating in Panchkula, the district magistrate backtracked on its earlier orders of bringing shutters down by 12pm and allowed these to remain open till the time granted in their licence.

In a huge respite to bars operating in Panchkula, the district magistrate backtracked on its earlier orders of bringing shutters down by 12pm and allowed these to remain open till the time granted in their licence (HT File)

District magistrate Mahavir Kaushik on Wednesday said bars in Panchkula can operate as per the time granted in their licence.

Last week, the Panchkula administration had directed all hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars and dhabas in the district to down their shutters from midnight to 6am. The establishments were barred from serving food, eatables, liquor etc beyond midnight, however, room service to guests at hotels etc was allowed.

The step was taken following a drunken brawl at a local hotel during a party. The Punjab and Haryana high court had issued directions to take steps to enforce the timings of hotels and restaurants.